Community is touched by dying mum’s wish for a dream wedding

Kev Rogers

Terminally ill Mansfield mum Leanna Cox says she has been ‘overwhelmed’ by the astounding response by Chad readers offering to help make her dream wedding become reality.

Our striking, front page story last week featuring brave Leanna and her heartfelt appeal to raise £5,000 to marry the man she calls her ‘rock’ touched the whole community.

Wellwishers from Mansfield and beyond have responded in their hundreds and offered a whole host of services to help the couple have their fairytale wedding to remember.

They include everything from a full wedding to venues, photographic services, wedding dresses - and even a horse-drawn carriage.

Now Leanna and her fiance William Boulton are sifting through the flood of offers before deciding on their next move.

“There has been no end of responses, it’s just incredible,” said an emotional Leanna.

“I’m just overwhelmed by it all, I really am. I cried all day yesterday thinking how kind people have been.”

A fundraising page she set up has also quickly attracted more than £2,000 in donations.

She said; “When I went to bed on Tuesday night I had raised around £200, now it

is over £2,000. It’s just amazing. I’m so excited for the wedding.

“Thanks to the Chad for helping us - if it wasn’t for this being in the Chad nobody would have found out about us.”

Her partner William said he was equally touched by the kindness shown by people.

“We are just so shocked by it all,” he said. “People are so generous and we can’t thank them enough.

We never thought this would happen.”

The couple of Lord Street found out the devastating news she had cancer just months before they were due to be married in 2012.

Since then she has fought a courageous battle against Hodkins Lymphoma - but doctors say the illness is terminal.

Now they are determined to tie the knot and have issued a rallying call for help with the costs as William has had to reduce his shifts at work to help care for Leanna.

And in addition to being inundated with offers from kind hearted local shops and businesses to help, Leanna’s story has also sparked huge interest online.

More than 100,000 people have viewed our website and Facebook page, where hundreds of people have passed on their best wishes as well as their offering services for free. We have also received emails from churches and companies offering free wedding packages, as well as at least five different venues prepared to help.

Other free offers included a horse and carriage,

wedding dresses, cakes, accessories and shoes flowers, photography, cars and transport entertainment, musicians and disco and a whole host of other help.

A fund has been set up to help Leanna and William reach their target and donations can be made at www.gofundme.com/ii-9iaw